Meet the artists, chefs, winemakers and homesteaders whose love for plants and the land shaped our favourite people-stories of 2024.
From passionate home gardeners to artists and sustainable winemakers, these stories celebrate the people whose lives are deeply intertwined with nature. Whether they’re cultivating gorgeous gardens, creating art inspired by botanicals, or championing self-sufficiency, these individuals have captured our hearts with their dedication and creativity.
This collection of our most-read people-focussed articles from 2024 offers an intimate look at some of the gardeners, growers and nature lovers who inspire us.
Scroll down to explore the full list of top 10 people articles of 2024…
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A season of growth | The life of artist Mollie Howard
— Mollie Howard
Hawke’s Bay artist Mollie Howard creates floral-inspired paintings that celebrate nature and motherhood, with her deep passion for the natural world and strong family connections shaping her artistic vision.
Read the full story here.
The Central Otago homesteader who grows, harvests, preserves & hosts tourists
— Gillian Swinton
In the quaint settlement of Lauder, Central Otago, Gillian Swinton and her partner Hamish have cultivated a lifestyle that seamlessly blends their love for gardening, hospitality and rural living.
Wellington Garden | Secret Gardens of Aotearoa
— Jacob & Lucy
Since buying their Lower Hutt property in 2021, Jacob and Lucy have wasted no time rethinking and designing their site and putting their self-sufficiency plans into action. Two years on, the 3000 square-metre-section is almost unrecognisable.
From urban plot to rural refuge | The Pomeroys’ journey to country living & abundant gardening
— Keeley & Jen Pomeroy
In the North Canterbury country town of Amberley reside quantity surveyor Keeley and chef Jen Pomeroy – two garden enthusiasts whose journey into gardening reflects a deep-rooted connection to family, food and community.
Read the full story here.
Heartfelt hues | The inflorescence Havelock North garden brimming with colour & texture
— Suzanne Beaumont
The instinctual gardener, Suzanne Beaumont, cultivates her Hawkes Bay grounds with vibrancy and swathes of colour.
A Mid Canterbury edible garden designed for hospitality & self-sufficiency
— Stevie Young
In the farming town of Seafield in the Ashburton District, Stevie Young’s garden stands as a testament to a dedication and passion for simple and sustainable living.
The Pegasus Bay Gardener | Cultivating the expansive grounds of a North Canterbury winery
— Paula Kelly
Paula Kelly, gardener at Pegasus Bay Winery, transforms its grounds with decades of horticultural passion and experience, creating stunningly beautiful gardens in North Canterbury.
Garden-centric cuisine | St Georges garden-to-table restaurant
— Francky and Kathryn Godinho
Take a walk through the garden-to-table experience that is St Georges Restaurant – a family run affair where ingredients are sourced direct from the gardens onsite.
A landscape of luxury and legacy | Clifton Glamping
— Tom and Lucia Gordon
At Clifton Glamping, Tom and Lucia Gordon balance luxury accommodation with their dedication to sustainability and reforestation, creating a unique retreat immersed in nature.
Nurturing the land | Jannine Rickards on gardening, winemaking & kaitiakitanga
— Jannine Rickards
For Jannine Rickards, gardening is more than just a hobby, it’s a connection to her whakapapa—a practice steeped in tradition, sustainability and spirituality. As a winemaker and the founder of Huntress Wines, Jannine weaves her love for the land and her passion for kai (food) into every aspect of her life.
Plus, as a bonus, one of our all time favourites . . .
Chaos & Restoration — Camilla Jørvad
— Camilla Jørvad
Camilla Jørvad is a mother, photographer and passionate gardener based on the stunning Danish island of Ærø. Taking up gardening has taught her many lessons about life, health, harmony and the restoration of our precious planet.
